This fall, Tyler and I took three weeks off and headed out west. I had carefully planned the details of our adventure for almost a year, researching restaurants, campsites, and hikes. I think travel is one of the most rewarding luxuries we afford ourselves.

For the first dinner of our vacation, we headed into Jackson to the Snake River Grill. I had done extensive online research for the best place to get dinner in Jackson and settled on this location. We arrived early, and the staff was more than happy to seat us before our reservation time. We were brought to a romantic corner booth inside the warm, cozy dining room. I would describe the décor as lodge-meets-NYC with its log siding walls, stone fireplace, and white linens.

When children are in school, they will inevitably have to write a report on what their family members experienced growing up, and how life was different back then. I know I had to ask my grandma how the Great Depression affected her childhood. I have a feeling that when my hypothetical grandchildren ask me about my experiences and the significant historical events that took place, they will ask me about September 11th. Though they're not grand or coming from someone of significance, these are my stories.

I have known Lauren for a number of years, simply because I graduated with her younger brother. While Lauren and I were just acquaintances until recently, she has always been an extremely sweet and kindhearted person. It is obvious to see why Ryan was drawn to her.

I don't know about you guys, but when a culinary extravaganza is coming to the area, I get excited. Really excited. The hours before I leave work and walk down Broadway, I'm imagining streets filled with wonderful smells and sample portions of deliciousness; my mouth is constantly salivating. Needless to say, when Taste of Broadway came around, the salivary glands were functioning on high.

This past weekend, Tyler and I had a chance to venture out and join other gastronomics for one of the more ingenious tourism schemes in the Green Bay area, Green Bay Restaurant Week. This year, Restaurant Week featured 60 restaurants offering reduced lunch and dinner menus for $10, $20, and $30. When culinary delights like Hinterland and Three Three Five partake, one would be simply foolish to not enjoy a night out at one of these establishments.

When one of my best friends, Stephanie, told me Dalton had asked her to marry him, I shrieked with happiness. We had all been waiting for this day. Steph and Dalton have been together since high school, and we have all known they would be together forever. While I've only known them since college, they're love for each other has been obvious to me from the beginning.